Atomizer pump



D 1, 1964 w. R. ODONNELL ETAL 3,159,316

ATOMIZER PUMP Filed May 8, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS wilLLcLm R. ODOnne 11 W0 1? 5 t e ima n HGENT United States Patent 3,159,316 ATGMIZER PUMP William R. QBonnell, Trumbull, and Wolf Steiman, Fain field, Conn, assigners to Valve Qorporation of Amerlea, Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 8, 1963, Ser. No. 273,962 13 Claims. (Cl. 222-321) This invention relates to pump-type atomizers of the kind mounted in or on containers for the purpose of dispensing the liquid contents thereof in a spray, and more particularly to the pump constructions of such devices.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved atomizer pump for use with a closed container such as a bottle, jar or the like, which pump has positiveacting valved venting means to enable replacement air to enter the vessel as the liquid contents become used and depleted, as well as pressure relief.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved vented atomizer pump construction as above set forth, which involves relatively few parts of simple construction, characterized by quick and easy assembly.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved atomizer pump in accordance with the foregoing, which is effeetive and reliable in its operation, and not likely to jam or otherwise get out of order.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of a unique vented atomizer pump of the kind outlined, which is not subject to leakage either during storage or transportation, or during use by the ultimate consumer.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved atomizer pump structure as characterized above, which is simple 'to produce, and economical in its construction.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved pump construction in accordance with the above, wherein a positive slide valve action characterizes the vent means.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an atomizer pump as above set forth, which is easy and simple to operate, requiring but little force on the part of the user.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved vented atomizer pump construction as outlined, wherein an effective spray is produced each time that the pump is operated.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like components throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the present atomizer pump construction mounted on a small container of the type intended to be held in the hand.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary axial sectional view showing details of the pump and venting mechanism provided by the invention, the parts being in the normal or inoperative position.

' FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2, but showing the parts after actuation of the pump to produce a spray.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

The atomizer illustrated comprises a small bottle or 3,559,3iti Patented Dec. 1, 1964 "ice container 10 of usual construction, made of either glass, plastic or other suitable material. Mounted on the neck of the container 10 is a pump and actuator structure designated generally by the numeral 12. Such structure includes an actuator or depress button 14 having a spray nozzle or orifice 16 in its side wall, which communicates with an axial bore or recess 18 disposed in a central hub or boss 20.

Fric-tionally fixedly fitted in the boss 29 is a plunger or piston stem 22, said stem passing through a central opening 24 in a metal closure or mounting cup 26.

The depress button 14, as well as the orifice member 16 and the stem 22 may be advantageously fabricated as plastic moldings, of suitable plastic substance such as polyethylene and nylon. Because of its strength, nylon is preferred in fabricating the stem 22.

Securement of the mounting cup 26 to the container 10 is effected by crimping or rolling in the lower peripheral edge 23 of the cup at a point below the external shoulder 30 of the lip of the container 10.

The piston stem 22 has aninner portion 32 of enlarged external diameter, such portion being disposed in and being guided by a tubular cylinder member 34 located within the neck portion of the container 10. The cylinder member 34 is also preferably fabricated as a plastic molding, of linear polyethylene or other suitable material. At its uppermost extremity it has an outwardly extending annular mounting flange 36 which is clamped against a sealing gasket 38 and thus secured to the mouth of the container 14 by the mounting cup 26.

Preferably, as shown, the cylinder member 34 is coupled with 21 depending dip or siphon tube 40, there being a tapering section 42 and a cylindrical section 44 between the cylinder proper 34 and the dip tube 40. In the tapering section 42 a valve seat 45 is provided, accommodating a ball check valve 48 which is normally held in closing position by gravity. The ball check valve 48 may be advantageously constituted of stainless steel or equivalent non-corrosive metal. The cylinder 34 has a large bore 59 which not only constitutes a guide for the loosely fitting portion 32 of the piston stem 22, but also cooperates with piston elements to effect the pumping action, as will shortly be described.

In accordance with the present invention, in conjunc- 'tion with the piston stem structure 22 and the cylinder structure 34 there is provided a novel piston and venting organization which provides a positive valved-venting action as well as an effective piston action, all characterized by relatively few parts of simple structure which may be readily fabricated and assembled, said organization further providing an effective and reliable, foolproof venting atomizer action while at the same time positively insuring against leaks not only when the device is being stored, shipped or displayed, but also during its period of use by the consumer. The said valved venting and piston construction comprises a resilient double-piston member designated generally by the numeral 54, as well as a side vent hole or opening 56 in a wall of the cylinder membet as.

Cooperating with such structures are sornewhat loose,

sliding fits between the piston stem22f on the one hand and the cylinder member 34 and mounting cup 26 on the other hand. The double-piston member '54 may be advantageously fabricated of a resilient and resistant rubber formulation such as neoprene or the like, and comprises an elongate hollow shank portion 58 which is disposed in and fixedly frictionally fitted to an enlarged V bore 60 in the piston stem 22. The piston stem also has a small-diameter bore 62 which communicates with the bore '18 of the hollow boss 2% of the depress button.

The piston member 54 further comprises a pair of axially spaced annular or ring-like piston elements 64 merit 64 is connected with the piston element 66 by an intermediate shank portion 72, as shown. Further, the piston member 54 is hollow, that is, it has a through bore 74 in which, there is disposed a discharge valve stem '16 carrying a valve enlargement 78 which is cooperable with the upper extremity 80 of the, resilient shank 58 of therpiston element 54. Clearance exists between the valve stem 7-6 and the walls of the bore 74 of'the piston element, as shown.' 7

The lower end of the valve stem. 76 has a D-shaped enlargement 82 which is snugly seated in a shouldered portion 84 of the cylinder structure, being maintained in place by a helical compression spring 86 which also bears against the shank portion 72 of the piston member 54. The spring 86 not only maintains the valve stem 76 and valve enlargement 78 in alowermost position at 7 he possible.

cylinder 34 including the vent hole 56 in the wall of the cylinder. 7

During the time the piston element 66, 79 is belowthe vent hole 55 it acts in the manner ofthe first piston element as, 68, so that the two piston elements are now effective in producing the pumping and discharge.

As the valve assemblage is permitted to again shift upward under the action of the compression spring 86 upon removal of the actuating force from the button 14, the piston member 54 will assume the raised position illustrated in FIG. 2 For such position, the piston element 66, ill will now be disposed at a level above the vent hole 56, thereby effectively blockingthe contents of the container l and preventing any liquid from leaking or seeping past the loose-fitting stem parts ,22, 32. For such raised position of the piston assemblage, of course, the discharge control valve 78 will close the upper portion of the bore 74 of the piston member 54, whereby no egress of liquid from the interior of the piston 34 will In consequence, the container is efiectively sealed at all times that the piston'assemblage is in the raised position shown in FIG. 2.

It will now be'understood from the foregoing that provided, positive-acting valved vent organization in an atomizer pump, which is at one and the same timeextremely effective and reliable in its operation as well as all times in the cylinder 34, as shown,but alsdcontinually yieldably. urges upward the piston member 54 as well as the, piston shank 22 and the depress button 1 p The compression spring 36 may be advantageously fabricated of stainless steel or equivalent non-corrosive met- 7 Because of the D-shape of the enlargement 82, a passage is provided past such enlargement for liquid which is to be discharged from the container 10. Such liquid may be sucked upward through the dip tube 49, displacing in an upward direction the ball check valve 48 and passing into .the interior of the cylinder or tank member 34. The suction by which this movement of liquid is accomplished is effected by a return or upward stroke of the piston assemblage and depress button 14.

Considering FIG. 2, when the button14 is depressed for the purpose of obtaining a spray discharge from the prince 16, the piston element 64, 68 will descend in the cylinder 34, effecting a compression of zthe contents of the lower part ofthe cylinder. During such depressing movement the ball check valve 48 ,will'be closed, and the discharge control valve 78 will become disengaged from the shank portion 80 of the piston member 54. T In consequence, a mixture of'air and liquid 'will be forced from the cylinder '34 upward through the central bore 74, oilthepiston member 54, and will be discharged from the orifice member 16in the form of a line spray. In accordance with the presentinventiom'during such is effected, by which air is permitted to enter the con- 1 tainer ltl from the exterior of theatomizer in order to replace the liquid which is being discharged; Such venting action involves the vent hole 56 in the side of the cylinder 34, as well as the second piston elemente, 70. Itwill be observed by inspection of :FIG. 3' that the 1 piston element 66, 70"has been' shifted downward to a level below the vent hole 56. 'In consequence, such vent hole will nowhave communication with the-exterior at' mospherefbygvirtue of the looseness of the fit between the stem portion 32 and interior of the cylinder 34, as

well'ias thelooseness of the fit between the stem'portion 22 and the central opening 240i the mounting cup 2 6; 3 Atmospheric air may enter past such loose 'fitting v 7 parts, into the upper portion of the cylinder 'M-fand fth nceoutward, through the ,vent hole 5610 the interior providing a leak-proof arrangement.

Relatively few parts are involved, such pants being economically fabricated by known molding procedures, and being easily and quickly assembled into the operative structure shown,

The organization provides a positive slide valve action in controlling the vent to the container, is foolproof and reliable at all times, and not subjected to jamming or mal functioning. The pump construction is easy to operate, and provides an efiective spray or atomization of the liquid contents of the container.

Variations and modifications may be made within the; scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

What is claimed as new is: 1. An atomizer bination:

pump construction comprising, in com- (a) a pump cylinder adapted to be mounted on a container and having an inlet to enable it to receiveliquid 'from the container, 7

(b) a piston device including two axially spaced pop (0) positive-acting, venting valve means openedand, closed by the piston device, said valve means come prising one of said piston portions and beingopened by said piston device to enable exterior air to pass through the cylinder for introduction into the container when the piston portions are inthe second position, said valve means being closed by the pjis ton device to prevent said passage of air Whenthe piston portions are in the first position, and

(d) means providing adischarge passage from the cylinder. V i

2. A pump construction as in claim 1, wherein? ((1) the venting valve means comprises an active por tion of the cylinder wall, on which the said one pis- 7 ton portion slides.

3. An atomizer pump construction comprising, in coin 'bination: V i i 7 r I I? i (a) a cylinderhaving a vent opening in a side'WalL (b)'a piston structure in the cylinder, having apor-' 1 tion which is movable past the -vent'opehing and positionable at either side thereof,

(c) an actuater stem connected to the pistonistrucpiston portions and ing the piston-structure portion which is movable past the said vent opening and positionable at either side thereof.

5. An atomizer pump construction comp-rising, in combination:

(a) a molded resilient one-piece piston structure constituted of a pair of axially spaced annular piston elements and an actuator stem, said elements and stem having a common axial bore,

(b) a valve stem disposed in said bore, having at one end an enlargement engageable with one end of the stem to close the bore,

(0) said valve stem Having a second enlargement which is disposed at its other end,

(d) a compression spring extending around the valve stem, the ends of said spring engaging said second enlargement and one of the piston elements,

(e) a rigid sleeve around the piston stem, engaged with the other of said piston elements, said sleeve having external shoulder means, and

(f) a cylinder enclosing the piston elements and valve stem, said cylinder having a vent opening in a. side wall,

(g) spaced shoulder means on the cylinder, engaged respectively with the shoulder means of the sleeve and the second enlargement of the valve stem and holding the piston structure captive in the cylinder and in a predetermined end position wherein the piston elements are disposed on opposite sides of the vent opening.

6. A pump construction as in claim 5, wherein:

(a) the said one piston element is conical and has an annular shoulder within it, disposed normal to the axis of the piston elements and actuator stem, said shoulder being integral with the said piston element and surrounding one end of the said axial bore,

(b) said compression spring engaging the annular r shoulder at the outer periphery thereof and being spaced from the inner periphery of the shoulder.

7. A pump construction as in claim 5, wherein:

(a) the other piston element is conical,

(b) one end of the said rigid sleeve has a conical recess in which the other conical piston element is received.

8. An atomizer pump construction comprising, in combination:

(a) a pump cylinder adapted to be mounted on a container and having an inlet to enable it to receive liquid from the container,

(b) a piston device reciprocable in the cylinder between a first and a second position, said piston device also including an actuator stem passing out of the cylinder,

(c) positive-acting, venting valve means enabling exterior air to pass through the cylinder for introduction into the container when the piston device is in its second position, said valve means being closed to prevent said passage of air when the piston device is in the first position, (d) means providing a discharge passage from the cylinder through the actuator stern of the piston device, and

(e) a valve controlling said discharge passage, said valve closing when the piston device moves toward the first position from the secondand vice versa,

(3) said venting valve means comprising cooperable portions of the cylinder and piston device,

(g) said cylinder having a valve opening in' the cooperable portion thereof,

(h) the said cooperable portion of the cylinder comprising a side wall thereof,

(i) the cooperable portion of the piston device comprising a peripheral piston portion slidable along and on the cylinder side wall,

(j) the piston device comprising an additional peripheral piston portion slidable along and on the cylinder side wall and spaced axially from the firstmentioned peripheral piston portion,

(k) said actuator stem carrying the peripheral piston portions and having an axial bore constituting the discharge passage, and

(I) said peripheral piston portions comprising annuli the openings of which communicate with the stem bore.

9. A pump construction as in claim 8, wherein:

(a) the said valve comprises a member engageable with the bore of the actuator stem to close the same, and

(b) means extending into and connected to the cylinder, supporting said valve member to be immovable with respect to the cylinder.

10. A pump construction as in claim 9, wherein:

(a) the valve-supporting means comprises a rod disposed in the bore of the actuator stem, and

(b) means mounting said rod in the cylinder adjacent one end thereof.

ll. A pump construction as in claim 10, wherein:

(a) the means mounting the rod comprises an enlargement thereon, fitted in the cylinder bore,

(b) said enlargement having a passage to enable liquid to flow past it in the cylinder,

(c) said rod enlargement being disposed between the piston device and the cylinder inlet.

12. An atomizer pump construction comprising, in

combination: I

(a) a pump cylinder adapted to be mounted on a container and having an inlet to enable it to receive liquid from the container,

(b) a piston device reciprocable in the cylinder between first and second positions to effect a pumping of liquid, said piston device having portions slidable on and along the inside wall of the cylinder and engaging the cylinder at two annular areas of contact which are axially spaced apart, and further having an actuator stem carrying said piston portions and passing out of the cylinder,

(c) positive-acting, venting valve means opened and closed by the piston device, said valve means comprising one of said piston portions and being opened by said piston device to enable exterior air to pass through the cylinder for introduction into the container when the piston portions are in the second position, said valve means being closed by the piston device to prevent said passage of air when the piston portions are in the first position, and

(d) means providing a discharge passage from the cylinder.

13. An atomizer pump combination:

(a) a pump cylinder adapted-to be mounted on a container and having an inlet to enable it to receive liquid from the container,

(b) a resilient piston means reciproca'ble in the cylinder between first and second-positions for eifecting a pumping of liquid, said piston means having portions slidable on and along the inside wall of the cylinder and engaging the cylinder at two annular construction comprising, in

areas of contact which are axially spaced apart, and further having an actuator stern carrying said piston portions and passing out of the cylinder,

positiveractin-g, venting valve means opened and closed by the piston means, said valve means cornprisin-g an opening in aside Wall of the piston and comprising said piston'portions and being opened by said piston means to enable exterior air to pass through the cylinder for introduction into the container when'the piston portions are in the second position, said cylinder opening being straddled by the said piston portions and the valve means. being thereby closed by the piston means to prevent said 8 passage of air when the piston portions are in the first position, and

(d) means providing a discharge passage from the cylinder. 7 a

5 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,362,080 11/44 Martin .4... 222 -321 2,889,964 6/59 Cooprider 222321 7 10 3,044,413 7/62 Corsette 222- 321 X LOUIS I. DEMBO; Primary Examiner. HADD 5. LANE, Examiner. 

1. AN ATOMIZER PUMP CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A PUMP CYLINDER ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON A CONTAINER AND HAVING AN INLET TO ENABLE IT TO RECEIVE LIQUID FROM THE CONTAINER, (B) A PISTON DEVICE INCLUDING TWO AXIALLY SPACED OPERABLE PISTON PORTIONS SLIDABLE ON AND ALONG THE INSIDE WALL OF THE CYLINDER AND RECIPROCABLE IN THE CYLINDER BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS TO EFFECT A PUMPING OF LIQUID, SAID PISTON DEVICE ALSO INCLUDING AN ACTUATOR STEM CARRYING SAID PISTON PORTIONS AND PASSING OUT OF THE CYLINDER, (C) POSITIVE-ACTING, VENTING VALVE MEANS OPENED AND CLOSED BY THE PISTON DEVICE, SAID VALVE MEANS COMPRISING ONE OF SAID PISTON PORTIONS AND BEING OPENED BY SAID PISTON DEVICE TO ENABLE EXTERIOR AIR TO PASS THROUGH THE CYLINDER FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE CON- 